Victoria University of Wellington

Kelburn Campus

This site demonstrated the huge impact of environment on library spaces, namely how the design and function of spaces impact how the library is managed and used. Firstly, due to recent earthquakes, the lift for the multi-story library was out of operation. This has resulted in library staff being moved to different floors, a change in how staff complete their work, and how resources are transported around the library. Interestingly, some staffing and management practices that were implemented as a result of the earthquake have been so effective that they will be continued even after the lifts are operational again. It is powerful to note that an environmental change, in this case an earthquake, was the stimulus for innovation and procedural change in the library.

Secondly, that spaces can be designed and used in such a way as to be culturally sensitive. The Victoria University of Wellington has a large Maori and Pasifika student population, and art has been commissioned for use in the space where those collections are held. Furniture placement and usage guidelines, for example the eating of food, are sensitive to the cultures of both Maori and Pasifika peoples, creating a space that celebrates the diversity of each. This library space was beautiful and is apparently used more widely for public Maori and Pasifika events also.

Lastly, a large renovation and re-design of the library has created a variety of zones and spaces that can be used for different purposes. Self-serve stations with rostered library staff and the introduction of green and blue zones have revitalised the way the library is used by students for socialising, collaboration and quiet study. Future challenges include how digital content can be made available online and increasing the opportunities for one-on-one interactions with students.

Victoria University of Wellington, Commerce Library

Many of the libraries that we visited during our tour had been renovated and updated within the last five to ten years, thus these spaces had been re-designed and articulated with modern library usage in mind. The Victoria University, Commerce Library had also been recently renovated, resulting in a fresh space, that while small in footprint, was welcoming, functional, and made use of a mezzanine level. Shelving and furniture placement fit organically within the space and natural and artificial light was thoughtfully utilised. This is in dramatic contrast to my current work context in a public primary school, originally designed in the 1960’s, where the library is situated within the former hall building. Storage and administrative spaces are ill-designed, awkward and inconsistent staffing over time has resulted in a collection mis-matched furniture and dusty junk. Space and budgetary limitations dictate that I must “do the best with what I have” and as a result I have to be both creative and patient in my library change improvement processes. A library space such as the Commerce Library is perhaps not realistic, or indeed suitable for a public primary library context, however,

I was impressed by the level of responsiveness shown by Victoria University library staff at both the Kelburn and Commerce Libraries towards student and staff feedback. Student requests for more study space were considered and the required changes made to deliver this service. Within my current work context, I have sought staff feedback about the teacher resource section of the library via a Google Form. The example of Victoria University leads me to consider how I could broaden this strategy to facilitate feedback from the student and parent community, and implement change where possible.